The power of the purse strings: Introduction

Members of the YWCA's TechGYRLS visit Grainger to learn about technology.

Introducing five people whom everyone in the local nonprofit arena should know. Find out who they are, which causes they fund and some guidelines for organizations eager to pitch.

Some of the most powerful names on Chicago's philanthropic scene hail from the corporate world. Not only are these men and women stewards of millions of company dollars earmarked for philanthropy, but they are generally the guardians of their company giving strategy.

Click on each name below to find out who they are and which causes their companies prioritize. While their corporate missions differ greatly, each individual on this list says the same thing: There's far more need than their company checkbooks can cover.